I too thought that teachers were over paid -- until I became one! There are
some teachers who certainly do not earn their salaries but there are also
some who work very hard and against an inhospitable educational system.
Especially art teachers! Just try painting with 20 first graders, without an
art room, with only a 30 minute block of time. And remember, you want them to
LEARN and REMEMBER
A USEFUL CONCEPT.

As for lesson planning, if your child was having surgery that would affect the
rest of his/her life wouldn't you want the surgeon to perform the procedure to
the best of his ability and using uptodate information?

Salary should be awarded according to merit . Just because someone has been a
teacher for twenty years and holds advanced degrees does not him a quality
teacher.